Fitness Friday-2015 Aramco Houston Half Marathon

2015 has already started challenging me, like 2014 was not challenging enough.  Challenging yourself to complete a race motivates you to get closer to your fitness goals, at least it does for me. I love to run and it has become a big part of my year.  Unfortunately life does happen.  I was so happy when I decided to sign up for the 2015 Aramco Houston Half Marathon.  It was my opportunity to run it under my name.  But like I told you on my Motivational Monday-Never Quit on Yourself, I almost quit before I even got started.

So in order to complete the mileage I was going to run, you need training.  Last year, I did not train and I could have done serious damage to my knees.  This year I decided to train.  I did.  I started the year training with my husband.  Then I had bumps on the road, and stopped consistent training on a weekly basis.  I did something here or there.  I did not clean my eating either.  All the stress I have been under has me stress eating.  Not only that some medication I had started taking, made me gain weight as well.  But I blame it all on me and take full responsibility.  Ultimately we make our choices. 

So on January 1, 2015 with only 17 days before the race, I started training and eating healthier options than I had been.  I went to the gym and my goal-my goal was to keep my knees moving.  I remembered the doctor saying that in January 2014 I shocked my knees from doing nothing to running 13.1 miles.  I did not want to get injured.  All this weight on my poor knees was too much.  I would go to the gym and get on the treadmill for at least 1 hour.  I consistently added more miles.  When I did not do the treadmill, I did the bike.  On weekends, we walked the malls. 

On January 18, 2015, I actually showed up.  I got to the start line and I crossed it.  I had music playing in my ears, the crowds cheering away, and my legs just going at it.  I bought some goo to give me energy along the race, and had some at every 3 miles.  I got a banana from a person in the crowd at mile 9 and saved it for mile 12.  I stopped at every Gatorade and water station.  I walked it out in between, you do not want to slip and fall.  When I saw the finish line, I bolted with a burst of energy that came out of the sky.  I crossed that finish line and never felt better.  I can't believe I almost took this away from myself. 

This are pictures of me, thanks to the Marathon photographers all along the race.  I won't tell you that it was easy to finish.  I won't even tell you it was easy to start.  But I will tell you, that when I did IT FELT GREAT!  I may not look like a runner.  I may be overweight.  I may have asthma and breath hard every time.  I may look like I am walking when I think I am running.  But no one can take this away from me now. 

What are you talking yourself out of?  What have you wanted to try and are not giving yourself a chance to do?  It will not be easy.  It will be hard but that is why it is a challenge.  I am not only a finisher but I am a starter.  Finish that one thing you started. 

I did!  I love the slogan, 13.1, cause I'm only half crazy!  One day, I might go all the way crazy, and go for the 26.2 miles but for now I am enjoying this victory.  

Motivational Monday-Biggest Loser Run Walk

As you know I am a huge fan of the Biggest Loser.   I like how this show helps so many from the contestants they pick, their families, to the people at home.  Every time a new season begins it is always a great reminder for me to check where I am at in my healthy lifestyle and fitness level.  I was lucky to receive a complimentary entry to the Biggest Loser Run Walk Series in Beaumont, TX.

Remember I completed the Aramco Half Marathon in Houston this past January.  I did not train for this race at all.  Even though after that half marathon finished I felt accomplished part of me was scared I had injured myself.  But I did not want to believe it.  I rested my knee and tried to go light.  I hit the gym trying to built back up to where I was.  Trying fitness challenge after fitness challenge month after month since that race.  My mom asked me to go with her to her dr appointment and it just happened to be her knee doctor.  The information I learned at that visit ultimately made me schedule a visit with my own doctor.  My doctor then sent me to a specialist.  I was so scared.  I completely stopped exercising.  I did not want to injure myself more, if I was injured.  I was confused and scared.  I have this new found love of running and some doctor just told me, running is not recommended.  I may not be able to do it at all.  I had lots of test and finally my results.  My hallelujah moment came when my specialist said I have to go ahead to start training again.  My knee was not permanently injured or damaged.  I got the all clear!  I was so excited specially because before just 1 mile would cause me so much pain.  My next half marathon was soon approaching and he said he saw no reason why I could not do it.  So I did just that.

On May 3 I did my 2nd half marathon of the year.  I did not break any records but I did accomplish my goal which was to start and finish.  My knee did not give me any problems.  The doctor was right.  I set my mind and I did it.  All 13.1 miles, I did it!

Check out the sign of relief on my face when I crossed the finish line.  I will not tell you that it was not hard, because it was.  13.1 miles in the hot sun, you the road, and the finish line.  After I hydrated, caught my breath, and took a minute to rest I was able to celebrate my victory.  My husband and kids were at the finish line cheering me on.  And I even got to meet some of the past contestants:

But the best part of all of this is the bad A** medal I get to now show off to everyone, it is my favorite!

My official time 3 hours and 6 minutes!  A priceless moment...

Don't give up on something.  You can be any size, shape, or form.  You don't have to run, you can walk.  Baby steps, remember.  When people look at me, they do not imagine a runner hides inside my body.  Who hides inside of yours?

The Biggest Loser is challenging America.  The run/walk series is going all over America.  You could find one close to you and join in the fun.  For more information go to:
http://www.biggestloserrunwalk.com/destination

Remember do not let anyone tell you what you can and can't do, it is totally up to you to do it!

Fitness Friday-Aramco Houston Half Marathon 2014

It was a great idea at 11 p.m. at nite.....my decision to participate in this year's Aramco Houston Half Marathon.  13.1 miles on Houston streets.

13.1
Thirteen Point One Miles
69, 168 feet
23,056 yards
21.08 kilometers
Half Marathon

Like I told you Monday it has been a hectic end to 2013, and I was not planning on running the half.  I did not sign up with the rest of my friends.  I was going to be a spectator.  But the opportunity was there for me to be able to join my friends and well the running bug got me.

I have ran a half marathon before, remember my 1st was the Hippity Roc.  Last year I had to run the Aramco Houston Half Marathon 2013 for my husband since he hurt his leg.  This year I got the opportunity to run for a friend in the Aramco Houston Half Marathon 2014.  But I had not trained, ran or thought about anything other than cheering on the sidelines at this run.  But because of a personal situation/decision I decided to do it.  Supporting my friends is always top on my book.  And since I had completed 2 others, I figured it could be done.  I did not know what I was getting myself into.  We also had another friend who was doing the half for the first time.  The 3 of us decided to do the half together.  2 veterans and a newbie.  We helped each other all along the race.  We stopped at the gatorade and water stations.  We took breaks along the way.  We ran/jogged and walk in intervals.  In the end we gave it all we had, and we crossed the finish line.  I got blisters on mile 4.  My knees started killing me mile 8.  By mile 12-13, I wanted it to be over so I stayed steady at my pace telling the girls I was the pacer.  They passed me up, caught up, we kept moving forward.  Each of us battled our own bodies.  We did it!

Afterwards we stretched, regained our composure, and waited for our friend to cross the Marathon 26.2 Mile Finish Line.  Each one of those miles was worth being able to wait for my best friend at the finish line.  

She is a #girlonfire !!!  She finished the marathon in 4 hrs 28 mins.  How awesome!  We are so happy for her and her accomplishment.

And of course, my accomplishment!

After the race we all were pretty pooped.  I could bearly walk with all my blisters on both feet.  I soak and laid on the couch for the rest of the day.  But my husband and I started talking about the half marathon, we realized that I have never ran the Aramco half marathons for myself.  Both times I did them tagged in for someone else.  My husband's favorite line to me is always, "Imagine if you would have trained?"  And that line stuck out to both of us.  Imagine if I did.  I know I can cross the finish line because I have, 3 times.  But imagine if I actually trained for the next one, what would my time be?  My 1st half marathon I really didn't know what I was doing, did not really train for that long of distance, and I set a PR for myself to beat next time around.

I am not ready to conquer the full marathon, but I will be working on my Half Marathon!  Wish me luck!  How about you?  Have you challenged yourself?  Do not knock it until you have tried it...trust me, best feeling ever.  So what is stopping you?

Baby steps, start with a walk.  So what 5K walk/fun run is in your area?

April Runners Log

April is Earth Month. What better way to start this month then to do a race for the park.

My participation in the "4 the Park" Fun Run helps the Conservancy to plan, protect and preserve Memorial Park. Approximately 4 million people visit Memorial Park each year, with the Seymour Lieberman Exer-Trail being the heaviest used park amenity in the City of Houston. Memorial Park Conservancy, in partnership with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, is working towards forest conservation and trail improvements within the park to ensure Memorial Park is a healthy and sustainable environment.

Alba

4 the Park Fun Run

04/02/11

0:46:23

4 Mile Run

I have never been to the trails at Memorial Park. I have only driven by.  I have seen all the runners, joggers, and walkers out there on my way home.  Boy, have I been missing out. The trails are surrounded by beautiful trees. It was great to see so many people come out and support.

So I thought this was it for the month of April but we are not done yet. Yep, I did 2 challenges again this month. What do you think I did?

I never ever, ever thought in a million years that I would think of running a half marathon or that it could be done by me. The first time my bestfriend told me about doing a half marathon, I was glad it was too much money and there were no spots left. And when I got sick in January, I almost felt good about not having signed up, like it was a sign that I could not have ever finished.

When my bestfriend brought it up again, I was like my bestfriend is trying to kill me. In the back of my head, I kept thinking my bestfriend did it, why can’t I. Not because it’s a competition or anything like that, but because I felt like my bestfriend had the courage to sign up and do it. Where I, no matter what, could not convince myself I could. Get it, I kept telling myself I could not, therefore, I could not. I have faced several obstacles in life where people told me I could not, and I took that as a challenge/bet/dare and I finished and finished strong. Whatever it was. Baby Daddy said I would never make it without him, I proved him wrong. Single mothers can never become homeowners, you cant afford it, but I did. I bought a house, and am paying for it. These are just some things that have pushed me to the limits, and I have gone all out to prove to those people I could do it. But when it comes to proving to myself I can do it, that’s where the problem lies. I do not believe in myself, well at least I didn’t.

My bestfriend put the challenge out there. My whole entire goal was to just finish. And I finished. It does not matter what place, or what time, the point is I actually proved myself wrong. The first 2 miles, were very hard for me. They were a battle within a battle. I had already giving up on myself. Anything negative I could think about, I was thinking it. When my bestfriend smacked me in the butt as she was passing me up, it snapped something in me. Somewhat of the whip hitting a horse, or the gun actually going off this time for the first time. My bestfriend believed we could do it and we did. I thank her for pushing me. Like her coach,Coach T said, it is good when we are held accountable. I like that we push each other. I am so glad that I did this. Here are some pictures of my wonderful achievement. I am so proud of myself. And yes, I am tooting my own horn, for the first time!!

The miracle was not the finish, but that I had the courage to start!

"Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about."
-PattiSue Plumer, U.S. Olympian

Alba- Hippity ROC 04/23/11 2:57:53 Half Marathon 13.1 miles

"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."
-Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

Wanna join me? Do you want to start? I started out doing walks. One of the first walks I did, and still do is the March of Dimes which is coming up on May 1st, Houston.

"Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer is usually: 'Yes'."
-Paul Tergat, Kenyan professional marathoner